"Yes; a most pleasant one," replied Mrs. Travilla. "I can truly say I think your presence here will double our enjoyment. How long since you arrived?" "Only about twenty-four hours. We came straight from home, where we left all your dear ones well." "Ah, that is good news! It is a new thing for me to be so far away from my dear father; and he is growing old; so I have been feeling a little anxious about him." "He evidently misses you, but is glad that you are enjoying yourself," said Annis. "Yes! so unselfish as he is--my dear father! Ah, how lovely it is here!" glancing about as she spoke. "No doubt we can pass some days or weeks here very delightfully." "I am quite sure of it, mother," said the captain, who had overheard the remark, made as they all were on their way from the landing to the hotel. "We will have the yacht here in a day or two, I think; and it will afford us some pleasant trips here and there on the lake." "And carry us to some historical scenes, won't it, papa?" asked Grace in a tone of satisfaction. "Yes," he replied; "and we will live on it, unless the majority of our company should prefer the hotel." "No danger of that, I think," said Grandma Elsie; "we all feel so much at home and find ourselves so comfortable on the yacht." "I don't wonder that you prefer it," said Annis; "but I was hoping you would all be at the hotel with us." "Are you not willing to be on the _Dolphin_ with us?" asked the captain, giving her a cordial look and smile. "Indeed, sir, I should like nothing better--except for the fear of crowding you." "I think that is beyond your ability," laughed the captain. "Even joined by all three of you, we should have more room than we have had in some of our trips which we found very enjoyable." "Then we accept your kind invitation with the greatest pleasure," said Mr. Lilburn; and there the conversation ended, as they were already at the entrance to the hotel. They spent a pleasant day in and about there, but early in the evening the _Dolphin_ made her appearance, and they all went aboard of her--a blithe and happy company. The morning found them all in good health and good spirits, and as they sat about the breakfast table the captain asked: "Where shall we go to-day? I think it would be well to take the little trips we contemplate while the weather is so favorable. Then when a storm comes we can shut ourselves in and enjoy books, work, and each other's company." "I think that is a good suggestion, captain," said Grandma Elsie. "Suppose you take us to-day to Fremont, to view the ground where Fort Stephenson stood." Everyone present seemed pleased with the proposition, and it was decided to make the little excursion that morning. They could go nearly all the way in their yacht, by lake and river, and shortly after breakfast found themselves in motion--the _Dolphin_ having lain quietly at anchor during the night.